KIEV: England survived a 10-minute meltdown to move closer to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals when substitute Theo Walcott scored one goal and set up another to earn a thrilling 3-2 win over Sweden who were eliminated from the tournament yesterday.

Walcott levelled in the 64th minute with a fierce shot from and he delivered a fine cross to Danny Welbeck 12 minutes from time for the striker to tuck the ball in with a clever backheel and clinch England's first competitive victory over the Swedes.

England striker Andy Carroll had opened the scoring with a super header midway through the first half but Sweden struck back thanks to a Glen Johnson own goal and Olof Mellberg's header.

England are joint top of Group D on four points with France who beat Ukraine 2-0 earlier yesterday.

Ukraine, who play England in the last round of matches on Tuesday, are third on three points and Sweden have none.

Coach Roy Hodgson had brought in Carroll at the expense of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to exploit Sweden's weakness in the air and the choice paid off spectacularly midway through the first half. Steven Gerrard whisked in a perfect cross for Carroll to head powerfully home from near the penalty spot and give England a deserved advantage.

It spurred Sweden into action but England initially remained composed.

That calmness vanished, however, early in the second half when the unmarked Mellberg bundled the ball in after the English defence had failed to clear an Ibrahimovic attempt in the 49th minute.

Johnson tried to clear on his line but only could help the ball into the net.

England were on the ropes and Mellberg delivered another body blow 10 minutes later when found himself unmarked to head in Sebastian Larsson's free kick from close range.